I consider myself fortunate to live within an hour away from the most beautiful lavender fields I’ve ever seen. Visitors to the fields get to pick their own lavender and have access to a plethora of lavender products. The fragrance that surrounds me when I’m visiting is unbelievably calming. My curiosity was piqued, so I decided to do some lavender research. The information I found led me to start using lavender more often in my home and with my children. Some of the benefits and uses I found include the following:

Stress Relief – Just inhaling the aroma of lavender has a relaxing effect. You can dab the essential oil on your temples to relieve anxiety. Add a few drops to your bath and relax your muscles. Make a tea with the flowers and enjoy the taste, as well as the aroma.

Sleep Aid – The smell is so comforting that it can help you fall asleep. Lay some fresh lavender on your bedside table. Put the flowers in a small satchel to place under your pillow.

Laundry Additive – Put the flowers in a cloth bag and throw it in the dryer with your laundry. Your clothes will come out smelling wonderful.

Booboo Medicine – Due to its natural antiseptic properties, lavender oil works great on cuts and scrapes.

Sunburn Relief – Add a few drops of oil to a spray bottle and add water. Spray it on a sunburn to soothe the skin.

Menstrual Cramp Relief – Rub oil into your lower abdomen to relieve pain from cramps.

Respiratory Healing – If you have the flu or a cold, rub the oil on your throat and chest.

Calming Children – This is the most important use of all! Since lavender’s scent has a calming effect, use it as a form of aromatherapy for your children.

Food Recipes – If used in small quantities, lavender is delicious in a vast array of different recipes. Be sure to use culinary lavender, which is dried and has been grown chemical and pollutant free. The following is a simple recipe for Lavender Lemonade:

Lavender Lemonade

2 cups water

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup honey

3  tablespoons dried culinary lavender

2 cups fresh lemon juice

4 cups water

Combine 2 cups water and sugar in a pot. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Stir in honey and lavender. Cover and let sit for 15 minutes. Pour mixture through a strainer to remove the lavender buds. In a large pitcher, combine lemon juice, lavender/honey mixture, and 4 cups water. Stir and chill. Serve over ice with a lavender sprig. Enjoy!

Some of the uses call for fresh lavender, some call for dried lavender, and some call for lavender oil. Have a little bit of each on hand and you’ll be ready for whatever comes your way!

Krista currently lives in the Salt Lake Valley with her husband, three children, and dog. She loves reading, writing, and discussing childbirth and natural parenting methods and ideas. She has been a science teacher for the past decade, but resigned for a bit after having her third child this year. Now she can spend more time being crafty and playing with her children. See more of her writing at Everything Little Ones.